Norwich City will host a special football match between the sergeants and corporals of a military regiment in honour of a soldier who died of suicide.
The 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland will play the match at Norwich City Community Sports Foundation's (CSF) The Nest facility next Monday to pay tribute to Sargeant Jamie Coleman who died in 2022.
Currently, the Scottish group are taking part in Operation Interflex at STANTA in Thetford to train Ukrainian soldiers for the frontline.
While carrying out the operation the group came up with the idea of the match, named the Coleman Cup, and began searching for a venue.
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Luckily, a soldier in the unit, who is a Canaries fan and is part of the Forces2Canaries (F2C) supporters group, suggested The Nest and now the supporters group along with the CSF has agreed to fund the cost of pitch hire, catering and referees.
The CSF has also given the group 10 tickets for Sunday's Championship match against Millwall, where the group will be paraded around the pitch at halftime along with other service personnel and veterans.
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George Lees of the unit said: "The regiment sadly lost a soldier last year to suicide and in his memory we have organised the first football match to be held in his memory.
"The support we have received from both The Nest and F2C has been overwhelming and absolutely fantastic.
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"They have covered the cost of the pitch, provided us with changing facilities, put on a barbeque at the venue and provided referees for the game.
"They have been absolutely incredible in their support for such an event."
A bagpiper from the regiment will play as the teams enter the pitch and Sargeant Coleman’s father will present the trophy to the winning team.
The group is expecting 100 spectators on Monday, August 21, including members of Sargeant Coleman's family, Lord General Richard Dannatt and the Commanding Officer of the Regiment.
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